Snack bags for the Homeless: Little Rock, AR
Volunteers of Sri Sathya Sai Center of Little Rock, AR, brought love and cheer to the homeless by distributing snack packs as part their monthly breakfast service for the homeless at the Little Rock Compassion Center. Several Sai Center members came forward to donate various items needed for the snack packs.
On the day of the service, 9 children and 6 adults assembled at one of the Sai Center member’s home. With love and care, they packed 108 brown bags with snacks and goodies, including chocolate milk, trail mix, crackers, and a protein bar. To purify the service as a spiritual offering, they chanted Gayathri (one of the oldest and most powerful Sanskrit prayer that Sathya Sai Baba has prescribed for daily chanting) throughout the packing. A few volunteers drove the snack packs to the location where other volunteers were present to distribute the snack packs along with the breakfast they serve monthly to the homeless.
One of the SSE volunteers shared her feelings about participating in this service: “While making these bags, I immediately felt good about carrying out the service because I knew the bags would be delivered immediately to the people who needed them the most.”
Sharing her child’s experience, one of the parents reflected: “In November and December, every year, the children make goody bags to share in the spirit of holiday season with other children in need. My son, Karthik, learnt an important principle - the importance of serving the needy. Karthik felt the “joy of giving”. He learnt that even the little things they do can give someone hope and happiness.”
Yet one another parent commented, “ Very well- organized activity to help kids understand the meaning of service. My daughter showed great enthusiasm as she was participating in the brown bag service activity. The highlight was the kids reciting Gayathri mantra as they joyfully packed the brown bags! I sincerely appreciate the SSE teachers ‘s dedication.”